There's a nuclear incident

Last Updated
Tuesday, 24/06/2025

 

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If a major incident occurs at a nuclear power plant and you're nearby, you can take action to protect yourself and your loved ones. Always follow the instructions of local authorities, which may include:

Get inside

  • Get inside a building. Brick or concrete buildings are best. Shut all windows and doors and take shelter in the middle of the building or basement if there is one. Turn off air-circulating heating and cooling systems or switch to recirculating.

Stay inside

  • Stay inside for 24 hours or until advised by local authorities. This will reduce your exposure to harmful radiation.

Stay tuned

  • Monitor local media for important information about how to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Leave

  • Authorities may tell you to evacuate the area if you're close to the event. Do so as soon as safely possible.

Many countries around the world will have different facilities that are part of the nuclear fuel cycle. This includes:

  • nuclear power plants
  • reactors used for research or production of nuclear medicine products
  • mining/milling
  • enrichment
  • fuel reprocessing facilities
  • nuclear waste disposal facilities.

The risks posed by these facilities can vary considerably, based on what is being done there.

All nuclear fuel cycle facilities will have safety and security procedures in place. They're monitored closely by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

An event at a nuclear power plant, spent nuclear fuel storage facility or reprocessing facility could release dangerous levels of radiation over an area (called a plume). Nuclear incidents at these facilities can be the result of:

  • natural disaster
  • terrorism
  • warfare.

A major incident at a nuclear power plant may consist of a loss of safety functions in the nuclear power plant. The loss of safety functions can lead to an inability to cool the reactor, resulting in radioactive materials being released into the atmosphere.

Other facilities such as those for enrichment may only pose a risk to the immediate area. This is because the uranium stored at those sites is relatively stable with low radiological health risk.

This page explains how to keep you and your loved ones safe if a nuclear power plant incident occurs.

The main dangers of a nuclear power plant accident

  • Radioactive materials in the plume from the nuclear power plant can settle and contaminate people who are outdoors, buildings, food, water, and livestock.
  • Radioactive materials can also get inside the body if people breathe them in or eat or drink something that is contaminated.
  • People exposed to radiation could experience long-term health effects such as cancer.

What happens when a plume is released?

Depending on the event that led to the incident, there may be few visual signs of damage at or near the nuclear power plant.

The ability to cool the reactor is compromised when the safety functions of the nuclear power plant are lost or degraded. This can lead to degradation of the reactor fuel, resulting in radionuclides being released out of the reactor vessel and potentially into the atmosphere.

  • Radionuclides will bind to small particles in the air when released into the atmosphere. They'll then move with the prevailing weather conditions.
  • A large proportion of radiation exposure is from inhaling particles from the radioactive plume as it passes during the early stages of a radioactive material release.
  • Radioactive material will be deposited on the ground as the plume passes. Exposure to deposited material may present a long-term hazard following the incident.

Get inside

If you're outside when the event occurs:

  • Move towards the nearest building. Avoid sheltering in a vehicle.
  • Find something to cover your mouth and nose, such as a mask. Other options include a scarf, handkerchief or other cloth.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth until you can wash yourself with soap and water. Don't use disinfectant wipes on your skin. Hand sanitiser doesn't protect against radiation.
  • Before going inside, remove clothing, shoes and accessories as they may be contaminated. Removing clothing can eliminate up to 90% of radioactive contamination. Leave them outside or place in a sealed plastic bag. If the weather is too extreme to remove all clothing, remove the outer layer of clothes.
  • Once inside, remove any remaining clothing and place it in a sealed plastic bag. If possible, shower and wash your skin and hair with soap and water. Be careful not to swallow any of the water as you wash.
  • Clean and cover any open wounds on your body.
  • Bring your pets inside if you safely can. If possible, wash the pet with soap and water. While washing pets, take precautions such as wearing gloves, apron, mask to minimise transfer of contamination.

Separated family members should remain in their own shelter.

  • Going outside to collect loved ones may expose you and them to radiation.
  • If you are separated from your children, you should not try to access their schools or childcare facilities unless you are told otherwise. It may put you and your children at risk.

Stay inside

Staying inside is your best protection immediately after a large release of radioactive material. Shelter in place until authorities say it's safe to come out – the time you need to stay inside will depend on the plume's behaviour. Keep your pets inside.

  • Cover your mouth and nose with a face mask or other material (such as a scarf or handkerchief)
  • Seal the building and remain inside until advised. Shut off air-circulating heating and cooling systems. Seal doors and windows with duct tape or plastic. Close vents and fireplace dampers.
  • Move to the centre of the building or basement/other underground area if possible. Stay as far away from the outer walls, doors and windows as possible. This will minimise the exposure to radiation.
  • Unseal the doors and windows when authorities advise the danger has passed. Don't leave the shelter tightly sealed for more than a few hours, as this could lead to suffocation.
  • Listen to the local radio or television for official information and advice. Authorities may direct you to stay in your shelter or evacuate to a safer place away from the area.
  • If you must go out, cover your mouth and nose with a mask or damp cloth.
  • Only eat food in sealed containers or from your fridge or freezer. If possible, only drink bottled water. Don't consume food or liquids that were outdoors uncovered or water from open water supplies.

If you're told to evacuate

If you're outside the immediate danger zone or the initial radiation plume has passed, authorities may tell you to evacuate. Pack an emergency kit including items such as:

  • phone chargers and battery packs
  • flashlights and spare batteries
  • a battery-operated or hand crank radio
  • a first aid kit
  • non-perishable food and bottled water
  • essential medicines
  • cash and credit cards
  • passports and travel documents.

If evacuating with a pet, bring a cage/leash, food, and medication. If you have them, bring veterinary records, including immunisation records.

When you leave, close and lock windows and doors. Turn off air conditioning, fans and heaters. Close vents and fireplace dampers.

While on the road:

  • Listen to any media available to keep informed of any changes.
  • Follow the advice of local authorities for information on safe evacuation routes
  • If evacuating by car, keep the windows closed and the ventilation system turned off.

If you're sick or injured

  • If you're experiencing a medical emergency, call the local emergency services.
  • If you're sheltering in place and it isn't an emergency, listen for instructions on how and where to get medical attention when authorities tell you it's safe to leave shelter.
  • If you're at a public shelter, immediately notify staff at that facility so they can help you.

If you're pregnant or breastfeeding

  • If you’re pregnant, tell emergency workers so they can give you proper attention.
  • If you're breastfeeding - Some radioactive materials can be passed through breast milk. If you may have been exposed to radioactive material, tell emergency workers that you are breastfeeding. They can tell you about the health risks of continuing to breastfeed. You may be told to use formula instead of breast milk for a period of time.

Health effects and treatment of radiation exposure

Radiation health effects are related to:

  • the type of event
  • how close you are
  • how long you're exposed.

Iodine thyroid blocking agents - potassium iodide (KI)

KI treatment protects the thyroid gland before and immediately after certain types of radiation exposure. In some circumstances, it may be given to people at risk of inhaling or ingesting radioactive iodine, such as a release during a nuclear power plant accident. Iodine thyroid blocking agents are not a relevant countermeasure in other types of radiation emergencies.

Only take KI if public health officials or a medical professional directs you to. Children and pregnant women are at the highest risk and are more likely than older adults (more than 40 years) to be directed to take KI. If you're directed to take KI, follow the instructions immediately. The optimal period of administration of KI is less than 24 hours prior to, and up to 4 hours after, the expected onset of exposure. The use of KI may still provide a level of protection 8 hours after the exposure. Starting KI later than 24 hours after the exposure is not recommended. It may do more harm than good.

Never take more than instructed. Larger doses won't provide more protection and increase the risk of side effects.

KI won't protect you from exposure, only the potential health effects. Take it alongside other protective measures such as sheltering in place or evacuating.

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